Northshore MA Archives - Maura Allard Realtor

Get outside

Walking around your block is a great way to experience your new neighborhood. Take this as an opportunity to turn down a street you’ve never been on before, explore local architecture, and make a mental note of places that pique your interest. You can do this more than once and it’s a great activity for the whole family. Plan trips around the neighborhood so that everyone can become familiar with the area.

On the Northshore, there are some great walking neighborhoods, especially near the water. A few of my favorites include –

Lothrop Street, Beverly

Pickering Wharf, Salem

Bearskin Neck, Rockport

Harborwalk, Gloucester, MA

Stroll downtown

Depending on the neighborhood, your designated downtown may look different. In a town like Salem, the businesses are densely populated, while in Marblehead there are two downtown areas. Before you head out, consider doing some online research and making a list of must-visit spots.

This is your opportunity to get to know local businesses and hotspots.

Explore historic sites, art murals, and outdoor spaces like parks. Be a tourist for the day and really check out the places you might normally overlook. New England is rich in history, and you might learn something new about your town.

Here are some neighborhoods with my favorite downtown areas –

Attend events & join groups

Many local communities have their own websites, online calendars, and other digital resources that can be accessed with a quick Google search. Free events hosted by your town are a great way to meet people that live in the area and foster a sense of community. Events like local farmers’ markets, block parties, and parades can be enjoyed by family members of all ages. Local spaces like public libraries often host events for children & teens.

The Northshore Moms is a local network with great resources for anyone in the area – find event calendars, read interviews with local moms, get coupons, and more.

Here are examples of community groups to join –

Community theater

Local government & town meetings

Volunteering with local organizations i.e. Food pantries, animal shelters

Public library

Joining a new community should be fun! It’s a time for fresh starts, new friends, and creating memories. Don’t let the excitement of moving prevent you from exploring everything your town has to offer. Whether you’ve been considering a move, or are just curious about moving, contact me today.

When it comes to life’s biggest chapters, they typically involve strong relationships that run the course. Forming strong bonds to achieve a win comes in the form of a doctor-patient relationship, a teacher-student relationship, a coach and player relationship, and most importantly for you now, a buyer realtor relationship. As funny as it may sound, the relationship you have with your realtor, whether buying or selling your home, can play a pivotal role in your homeownership successes for years to come. Choosing the right realtor can feel overwhelming. Follow these simple tips to partner up with the realtor of your dreams.

Make a list of your deal breakers

Like everyone, realtors have different styles when it comes to things such as selling, communicating, speaking and timeliness. Sit down and spend some time writing out a list of must-haves when it comes to potential realtors. Include deal-breakers and red flags, too. Just as much as you know what you want, know what you don’t want to.

Ask yourself questions like:

What form of communication best works for me? Phone calls? In-person meetings? E-mail? Text?
Do I need someone who specializes in a specific type of real estate?
Does knowledge of the area matter most to me?
Do I want someone who is fully in control of the process once I give them my preferences or, do I prefer to take the lead with a more laid-back realtor?

Ask around for recommendations

Most times, the most reliable information we receive is from people we know and trust. Don’t hesitate to ask friends and family about their purchasing experience, especially if they bought or sold in your target market. Often, someone in your inner circle has a realtor that they value and have created a relationship with based on past sale or purchase. Use any recommendations you receive as a stepping stone into your background research on potential realty candidates for you.

Do your research

Before you decide to initiate contact with a realtor, search your surrounding area for the realtors who specialize in your market. From there, narrow down your search by researching their websites, reviews and listings on their website. The internet is filled with an overflowing amount of information, so you are sure to find suitable details to get a general understanding of what each relator has to offer you. A realtor’s website can provide helpful insight into their style, specific customer feedback, credentials and market. Use this valuable tool to learn more about realtors in your area. Examine credentials and experience to use once you decide to move forward into the interview phase of selecting your realtor.

Interview potentials

After you’ve created a list of 3 to 5 potential realtors that interest you, reach out to them to schedule a phone or video chat. These interviews do not have to be formal or overly planned but should include discovery questions that allow you to learn more about the realtor than what you can find online or by word of mouth. Don’t be afraid to let them know your goals when it comes to finding a realtor that is the best fit for you. An open and honest conversation will lead you to find the realtor that fits your home buying, or selling, plans perfectly.

To learn more about the realtors on the M.A. and Co. and see if they are the best fit for your current or future home plans, contact us today. We would love to talk through your vision of your home planning ideas in Massachusetts or New Hampshire.